Crime & SecurityNews136 Pupils Of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya, In Niger State Regain Freedom

MINNA — After spending about 89 days in captivity, the Niger State government has confirmed the release of 136 pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya kidnapped in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of the State.

Recall that the pupils were abducted on 30^th May 2021. Six of the pupils reportedly died while two of the parents died of heartache.

Before their release today, the bandits had told the parents that two of the kids a 6-year-old and 10-year-old girl, had already died as a result of the poor condition of where they were being held, hostage.

It was alleged that the bandits had collected N55 million from the parents as ransom.

The Secretary to the Niger State Government, SSG, Alh Ibrahim Matane confirmed the development Friday night.

Matane who stated this in Minna said over 70 of the abductees were on their way from Birnin Gwari, a boundary between Niger and Kaduna State where they were held hostage by armed bandits.

The headteacher of the Islamiyya, Alhassan Garba Abubakar, also confirmed the children’s release.

“I can confirm to you that they have been released. I am with them now. We just received them, and we are happy that they have been released after 89 days in the captivity of the bandits.”

“They were on their way to Minna via Tegina where the pupils will be admitted into a medical facility for thorough medical attention.”

On the pupils missing or dead, he said, “We are elated now; we will count them later and get back to you media men very soon with a comprehensive report.”

It was gathered that the state government had earlier said the State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, and other top officials would be on hand to receive the school pupils on Friday at the Government House Minna.

It was gathered that on arrival, they would be taken to the hospital for medical attention before reuniting them with their families.

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Hassan Umar Shallpella (Regional Correspondent)

Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.

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